GEOMETRY OF BOUNDARY EXCHANGES

The geometric concept of self-similarity, from fractal geometry, may be used to compress portions of long, linear boundaries separating contrasting landuse types, like lake and shore or forest and meadow, into small, compact regions. This process is applied to maps of an actual location on the northern shore of Lake St. Clair and to a hypothetical map of a national forest. Using fractal geometry to determine boundaries can offer visitors to such regions the opportunity to enjoy exchange across them and can simultaneously miminize the potential for overall dramage to broad expanses of shore or forest. -Authors